This museum is about looking and understanding – looking up to the stars, looking out to the desert, and looking down to see ancient fossils. There are three primary permanent exhibits:
- Desert Life
- Light and Space
- Permian Trackways
All of the permanent exhibit text and labels are presented in both English and Spanish.
Free Admission
Parking
Parking is at 500 N Water Street on the north end of Main Street Downtown, next to the Museum of Art.
Tour Information
To book a tour, please email Museum Education or call the tour coordinator at (575) 541-2321. For more tour information go here.
Contact Us
Physical Address:
411 N Main Street
Las Cruces, NM 88001
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 20000
Las Cruces, NM 88004
Phone: (575) 522-3120
TTY: 711
Hours of Operation
Tuesday – Friday, 10AM – 4:30PM
Saturday, 9AM – 4:30PM
First Friday of the Month, 10AM – 7PM
Upcoming Events
ATTENTION: “Nature Nomads” for March 15th is canceled due to unforeseen weather. Please follow us on social media for more updates!
Calendar of Events
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Teen Science Cafe – Solar System Ambassadors
Teen Science Cafe – Solar System Ambassadors
Have dinner with a scientist and team up with STEM experts for monthly discussions, tours, and activities with our guest scientists. Now held regularly at the Frank O'Brien Papen Center, 304 Bell Ave. Ages: 13-17 Fee: Free Registration required: No
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2 events,
Nature and Discovery Pre-K: Planeteers: Edge of Our Solar System
Nature and Discovery Pre-K: Planeteers: Edge of Our Solar System
Nurture your little one's love of science! Investigate nature and science through hands-on explorations, stories, and crafts. Adult caregiver participation is required. Ages: 2-5 Cost: Free Registration required: Yes for 9am, No for 10am
Nature and Science Discovery Pre-K–Planeteers: Edge of Our Solar System
Nature and Science Discovery Pre-K–Planeteers: Edge of Our Solar System
Nurture your little one's love of science! Investigate nature and science through hands-on explorations, stories, and crafts. Adult caregiver participation is required. Ages: 2-5 Cost: Free Registration required: Yes for 9am, No for 10am
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2 events,
Trains! Pre-K
Trains! Pre-K
Come by the museum for engaging gallery activities made just for kids! Become a conductor and take control of our interactive model trains and afterwards, test your knowledge with games or crafts. Ages: 2-5 Fee: Free Registration Required: No
Animal Feedings — Turtles
Animal Feedings — Turtles
What we eat is important to our health, and for the animals in the Nature Center it's no different. Learn about the enrichment activities we use during mealtimes and more while you watch them display their natural instincts. All ages are welcome. No registration is required. The program is free.
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Nature and Science Discovery Pre-K–Jr. Paleontologist: Ancient Mammals
Nature and Science Discovery Pre-K–Jr. Paleontologist: Ancient Mammals
Nurture your little one's love of science! Investigate nature and science through hands-on explorations, stories, and crafts. Adult caregiver participation is required. Ages: 2-5 Cost: Free Registration required: Yes for 9am, No for 10am
Nature and Science Discovery Pre-K–Jr. Paleontologist: Ancient Mammals
Nature and Science Discovery Pre-K–Jr. Paleontologist: Ancient Mammals
Nurture your little one's love of science! Investigate nature and science through hands-on explorations, stories, and crafts. Adult caregiver participation is required. Ages: 2-5 Cost: Free Registration required: Yes for 9am, No for 10am
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Saturday Science – Limestone Chalk
Saturday Science – Limestone Chalk
Drop in and stay for a short or a long while to explore a new science topic each month. These hands-on activities and experiments are fun for the whole family with adult caregiver participation required. Ages: 6-10 Fee: Free Registration Required: No
Animal Feedings — Snakes
Animal Feedings — Snakes
What we eat is important to our health, and for the animals in the Nature Center it's no different. Learn about the enrichment activities we use during mealtimes and more while you watch them display their natural instincts. All ages are welcome. The program is free. No registration is required.
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2 events,
Spring Break at the Museums
Spring Break at the Museums
Self-guided activities at all four museums. March 11 - Museum of Nature and Science March 12 - Branigan Cultural Center March 13 - Railroad Museum March 14 - Museum of Art Free drop - in activities. 10am - noon.
Neurodivergent STEAM – Bridges
Neurodivergent STEAM – Bridges
Join us as we explore exciting Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) topics geared toward children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). Presented in partnership with the NMSU Autism Diagnostic Center, IDD children's curiosity is nourished through adult and child participation in hands-on activities that are meant to increase involvement in the sciences. Ages: 6-10. Fee: Free Registration Required: No
2 events,
Spring Break at the Museums
Spring Break at the Museums
Self-guided activities at all four museums. March 11 - Museum of Nature and Science March 12 - Branigan Cultural Center March 13 - Railroad Museum March 14 - Museum of Art Free drop - in activities. 10am - noon.
Teen Takeover
Teen Takeover
Bring your teens to hang out at the Museum of Nature and Science and Museum of Art for our monthly Teen Takeover program. Explore the exhibits, make cool experiments with S.T.E.A.M. activities, eat snacks, and socialize during these extended hours just for teens. Ages: 13-17 Fee: Free Registration required: No
3 events,
Nature and Science Discovery Pre-K–Jr. Paleontologist: Ancient Mammals
Nature and Science Discovery Pre-K–Jr. Paleontologist: Ancient Mammals
Nurture your little one's love of science! Investigate nature and science through hands-on explorations, stories, and crafts. Adult caregiver participation is required. Ages: 2-5 Cost: Free Registration required: Yes for 9am, No for 10am
Spring Break at the Museums
Spring Break at the Museums
Self-guided activities at all four museums. March 11 - Museum of Nature and Science March 12 - Branigan Cultural Center March 13 - Railroad Museum March 14 - Museum of Art Free drop - in activities. 10am - noon.
Nature and Science Discovery Pre-K–Jr. Paleontologist: Ancient Mammals
Nature and Science Discovery Pre-K–Jr. Paleontologist: Ancient Mammals
Nurture your little one's love of science! Investigate nature and science through hands-on explorations, stories, and crafts. Adult caregiver participation is required. Ages: 2-5 Cost: Free Registration required: Yes for 9am, No for 10am
1 event,
Spring Break at the Museums
Spring Break at the Museums
Self-guided activities at all four museums. March 11 - Museum of Nature and Science March 12 - Branigan Cultural Center March 13 - Railroad Museum March 14 - Museum of Art Free drop - in activities. 10am - noon.
2 events,
Nature Nomads–CANCELLED
Nature Nomads–CANCELLED
During this 1.4-mile hike up Tortugas Mountain, we will learn about safe hiking practices. During this outdoor program, participants will get the chance to look for different bird species on a leisurely nature walk - participants are urged to wear comfortable walking shoes, bring plenty of water, and are welcome to bring their own binoculars. Participants are asked to meet with staff at the trail head at precisely 8am. Ages:...
Fossils! — Ancient Extinction
Fossils! — Ancient Extinction
Explore the 3.5-billion-year odyssey of life with a geologist and real fossil specimens. Visit the station in the gallery and discover something new in the fossil record each month. All ages are welcome. The program is free. No registration is required.
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2 events,
Nature and Science Discovery Pre-K–Jr. Paleontologist: Ancient Mammals
Nature and Science Discovery Pre-K–Jr. Paleontologist: Ancient Mammals
Nurture your little one's love of science! Investigate nature and science through hands-on explorations, stories, and crafts. Adult caregiver participation is required. Ages: 2-5 Cost: Free Registration required: Yes for 9am, No for 10am
Nature and Science Discovery Pre-K–Jr. Paleontologist: Ancient Mammals
Nature and Science Discovery Pre-K–Jr. Paleontologist: Ancient Mammals
Nurture your little one's love of science! Investigate nature and science through hands-on explorations, stories, and crafts. Adult caregiver participation is required. Ages: 2-5 Cost: Free Registration required: Yes for 9am, No for 10am
1 event,
Moonlight: Adult Night at the Museums
Moonlight: Adult Night at the Museums
Walk around the Main Street Museums with an adult beverage in hand! Join us for a special evening at our Main Street Museums where you can explore the exhibits after dark among other adults while enjoying some wine, beer, and cocktails from Dry Point Distillers, along with other light refreshments while staying within the Main Street Museums spaces. No further entry after 8:15pm. Ages: 21+ Valid Government Issued ID Required...
1 event,
STEAMPunk – Rosiland Franklin: Chemistry
STEAMPunk – Rosiland Franklin: Chemistry
Discover the stories behind science heroes who break barriers and explore the applications of their research through hands-on experiments and activities Ages: 6-10 Fee: Free Registration Required: No
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Teen Science Cafe – Forensic Science
Teen Science Cafe – Forensic Science
Have dinner with a scientist and team up with STEM experts for monthly discussions, tours, and activities with our guest scientists. Now held regularly at the Frank O'Brien Papen Center, 304 Bell Ave. Ages: 13-17 Fee: Free Registration required: No
0 events,
2 events,
Nature and Science Discovery Pre-K–Jr. Paleontologist: Ancient Mammals
Nature and Science Discovery Pre-K–Jr. Paleontologist: Ancient Mammals
Nurture your little one's love of science! Investigate nature and science through hands-on explorations, stories, and crafts. Adult caregiver participation is required. Ages: 2-5 Cost: Free Registration required: Yes for 9am, No for 10am
Nature and Science Discovery Pre-K–Jr. Paleontologist: Ancient Mammals
Nature and Science Discovery Pre-K–Jr. Paleontologist: Ancient Mammals
Nurture your little one's love of science! Investigate nature and science through hands-on explorations, stories, and crafts. Adult caregiver participation is required. Ages: 2-5 Cost: Free Registration required: Yes for 9am, No for 10am
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